This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

This week on Treasure Island Oldies

March 28th, 2010 to April 3rd, 2010

It was good to have Trevor Chan on the air on this week's show. He is the senior producer at our studios, insinc. Trevor is moving to Toronto and it was his last day at the studio. I was pleased to play some of his favourite song requests by Roy Orbison and the many records played on by The Wrecking Crew, the Los Angeles studio musicians who recorded mostly at Gold Star Studios. I know you join me in wishing Trevor all the very best. Speaking of requests, I really enjoy hearing from you with your requests. Get in touch with me. Call or Click. You can record your voicemail message and request by calling the 24/7 Listener Line at 206-203-4678. You can also Click the Requests button on any page of the website.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Tom Locke, who researches and writes our weekly Moment In Time feature. To date, Tom has prepared over 300 Moment In Time segments since 1999. All the best, Tom. Also I would like to send out birthday greetings to long time listener, Rich Howe in Hillside, Illinois, and to my good friends Red Robinson, from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Lawrence Little. It's been a busy birthday week. If you have a birthday coming up, let me know by sending your name, city and birthday date to michael@treasureislandoldies.com We'll play Birthday by The Beatles for you on the show.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Tommy James And The Shondells this week. I had such a great response to them being on Voice Your Choice that I thought it would be fun for you to see them perform in a live clip. Here they are with I Think We're Alone Now, our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

With all the talk about the latest teen idol, Canada's Justin Bieber making a ton of fans worldwide,  it is fitting to bring you back to Canada's first teen idol, Paul Anka. Voice Your Choice presents two of his many hit songs for your votes: Love Me Warm And Tender and You Are My Destiny. Cast your vote for the song you'd like to hear. Come to the Voice Your Choice page to cast your vote. We'll play the winning song in the third hour of next week's show.

Running short on time? You can check out both the Rock & Roll News and the Top 5 Countdown and both are available here at the website. Click Podcast for the Rock & Roll News and click Listen for the Top 5 Countdown. You can Subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes. Go to the iTunes Store and search Treasure Island Oldies Podcast. You'll be part of the over eleven thousand downloads every month.

Send in your photo for the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Many folks have, but there's still room for yours. Send your picture, name and city to michael@treasureislandoldies.com. I look forward to receiving  it from you.

Is your high school, college or university Alma Mater planning a Reunion? Let me know and I'll be pleased to let the listeners know about it. Today with people scattered all around the globe, it is sometimes difficult to reach them. I'll do my best to help publicize and promote your Reunion. Send the details to michael@treasureislandoldies.com.

Have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Paul Anka - Voice Your Choice

Paul Anka was born in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, on July 30, 1941 and began performing at age 12. His first label was RPM Records, for which he recorded a song called I Confess. That recording session in 1956 was financed by his father. Sadly nothing happened. One year later he signed with ABC-Paramount and his career exploded.

His first single for ABC-Paramount, Diana, went all the way to Number One and became a Gold record. He has achieved an impressive 53 songs on the Billboard chart with eleven in the Top Ten and three Gold records.

With such a vast chart history, it was a difficult decision to select just two songs for Voice Your Choice. But we did...

This week on Voice Your Choice, Treasure Island Oldies presents Paul Anka with Love Me Warm And Tender and You Are My Destiny.

Have a preference? Come to the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. The song with the most votes will get played in Hour 3 of next week's show.

Tommy James And The Shondells - Song of the Week

= I had such great response to Tommy James And The Shondells being on Voice Your Choice this week that I decided to feature them on the Treasure Island Oldies Blog. Here then are Tommy James And The Shondells in a live performance of I Think We're Alone Now. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!
Michael

Johnny Maestro of The Crests and Brooklyn Bridge Has Died

NEW YORK — Singer Johnny Maestro, who performed the hit "16 Candles" with The Crests and enjoyed a decades-long career with The Brooklyn Bridge, died March 24, 2010 of cancer. He was 70.
Les Cauchi, a friend and original Brooklyn Bridge member, said Maestro — born John Mastrangelo — died late Wednesday in Florida. His last residence was in Cape Coral, Fla.
After beginning his career in the 1950s with The Crests, Maestro joined a local New York group, The Del-Satins. It merged with a Long Island band, The Rhythm Method, to form Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge in 1968.
Hits by the rock 'n' roll and doo-wop group included "The Worst That Could Happen," which Cauchi said earned "gold record" status with a million sales.
Cauchi said the group performed that song on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Other hits included "Blessed is the Rain," "Welcome Me Love" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."
Cauchi recalled that another well-known song, "Your Husband, My Wife," drew controversy when it was released in 1969 because it dealt with infidelity — a touchy topic during that era.
"Johnny was a class act. He was truly a gentleman," singer Dion DiMucci said on Facebook. "He sang `You'll Never Walk Alone' like an angel. ... We thank you for the beautiful trip you took us on. Love and peace."
"Dion reached out to John over the last couple of months, when Johnny was sick, to encourage him and give him some spiritual guidance," Cauchi said.
The band got its name after a manager declared it would be "harder to sell than the Brooklyn Bridge," Maestro once said. He performed at arenas, amphitheaters and casinos throughout the U.S. and Europe.
"He's considered one of the premier vocalists in rock 'n' roll — and one of the nicest, most sincere perfectionists in music," said Cauchi.
Maestro's last performance was Jan. 17, when The Brooklyn Bridge was among groups appearing at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. It was billed as "The Ultimate Doo-Wop Party."

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

This week on Treasure Island Oldies

March 21st, 2010 to March 27th, 2010

Everyone was on a first name basis for this week's Name Game Special! It didn't matter if your name was Sue, Billy, Jim, Patti Ann, Diane, John or Betty Lou, I had a song for you! And a huge thank you for all your requests. As I was running out of time as they kept coming in, I was unable to play all of the requests and will do my best to catch up on next week's show. I am so pleased with your response to this special; thank you. We'll do it again with a whole bunch of different 'name' songs. Mark your calendar for our next special, the annual One Hit Wonders Special, live Sunday, April 11th. This is one special you won't want to miss. You'll be scratching your head from time to time wondering how did this or that artist have such a smash, only to never have another hit song again. It's hard to believe, but it definitely happened. I invite your suggestions and requests for the One Hit Wonder song you'd like to hear. Call or Click. You can record your voicemail message and request by calling the 24/7 Listener Line at 206-203-4678. You can also Click the Requests button on any page of the website.

Sometime over the next several weeks we will be changing to a new email provider service and it will result in the email being down for at least a couple of days. I'll be sure to give you plenty of warning when it is about to happen. I definitely do not want to lose or miss any email you send to me.

If you have a birthday coming up, let me know by sending your name, city and birthday date to michael@treasureislandoldies.com We'll play Birthday by The Beatles for you on the show.

To keep you in the mood for our Name Game Special this week, the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing The Name Game by Shirley Ellis. And to help you sing along, the lyrics are included. Enjoy our Song of the Week.

Voice Your Choice spotlights Tommy James and The Shondells with two of their many hits songs: Say I Am (What I Am) and Sweet Cherry Wine. Come to the Voice Your Choice page to cast your vote. We'll play the winning song in the third hour of next week's show.

Running short on time? You can check out both the Rock & Roll News and the Top 5 Countdown and both are available here at the website. Click Podcast for the Rock & Roll News and click Listen for the Top 5 Countdown. You can Subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes. Go to the iTunes Store and search Treasure Island Oldies Podcast. You'll be part of the over eleven thousand downloads every month.

Send in your photo for the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Many folks have, but there's still room for yours. Send your picture, name and city to michael@treasureislandoldies.com. I look forward to receiving  it from you.

Is your high school, college or university Alma Mater planning a Reunion? Let me know and I'll be pleased to let the listeners know about it. Today with people scattered all around the globe, it is sometimes difficult to reach them. I'll do my best to help publicize and promote your Reunion. Send the details to michael@treasureislandoldies.com.

Have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Tommy James And The Shondells - Voice Your Choice

Tommy James was born Thomas Jackson in Dayton, Ohio and started his pop group The Shondells when he was only 12 years old. Their first single, Hanky Panky, was recorded for a small independent label, Snap, in 1963.By the way, the original version of Hanky Panky was recorded in 1963 by The Blossoms as the B side of the 45. Roulette Records purchased the original master recording by Tommy James And The Shondells from Snap Records and issued it on their own label.  It took three years for the song to become a hit when it finally reached the top of the charts in 1966.

As the song was climbing the charts, Tommy James recruited the Pittsburgh group The Raconteurs to become the official Shondells. From 1966 to 1973, they hit the charts an incredible 31 times; during which time they enjoyed 7 Top Ten hits, including a Gold Record.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Tommy James And The Shondells with two of their hits for your votes: Say I Am (What I Am) and Sweet Cherry Wine.

Have a favourite of the two? Come to the Voice Your Choice page and cast your vote. We'll play the winning tune in Hour 3 on next week's show.

Shirley Ellis - The Name Game - Song of the Week

In keeping with our Name Game Special this week on Treasure Island Oldies, I thought it would be fun to have a clip of Shirley Ellis performing The Name Game. If you missed the live show, be sure to catch the Archive here, available in Real Media. Here it is then, our Song of the Week.

And to help you sing along, here are the lyrics too.

Enjoy!

Michael

The Name Game - Shirley Ellis

The name game!
Shirley!Shirley, Shirley bo Birley Bonana fanna fo Firley
Fee fy mo Mirley, Shirley!
Lincoln!Lincoln, Lincoln bo Bincoln Bonana fanna fo Fincoln
Fee fy mo Mincoln, Lincoln!
Come on everybody!
I say now let's play a game
I betcha I can make a rhyme out of anybody's name
The first letter of the name, I treat it like it wasn't there
But a B or an F or an M will appear
And then I say bo add a B then I say the name and Bonana fanna and fo
And then I say the name again with an F very plain
and a fee fy and a mo
And then I say the name again with an M this time
and there isn't any name that I can't rhyme

Arnold!
Arnold, Arnold bo Barnold Bonana fanna fo Farnold
Fee fy mo Marnold Arnold!

But if the first two letters are ever the same,
I drop them both and say the name likeBob, Bob drop the B's Bo ob
For Fred, Fred drop the F's Fo red
For Mary, Mary drop the M's Mo ary
That's the only rule that is contrary.

Okay?
Now say Bo: Bo
Now Tony with a B: Bony
Then Bonana fanna fo: bonana fanna fo
Then you say the name again with an F very plain: Fony
Then a fee fy and a mo: fee fy mo
Then you say the name again with an M this time: Mony
And there isn't any name that you can't rhyme

Every body do Tony!
Pretty good, let's do Billy!
Very good, let's do Marsha!
A little trick with Nick!
The name game

Fess Parker - The King of the Wild Frontier - Has Died

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Fess Parker, best known for playing Daniel Boone in a 1960s television series, died Thursday at his home near Santa Barbara, California, his publicist said. He was 85.


Parker followed his acting career with successful hotel and winery ventures around Santa Barbara.

A statement issued by his family did not reveal the cause of death.

Parker is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcella, their son and daughter, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild who "spent a great deal of time with Fess in his final months and weeks," the statement said.

A native of Texas, Parker served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before graduating from the University of Texas-Austin in 1950.

He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950s to pursue acting.

Walt Disney cast Parker in the lead role of "Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier," co-starring Buddy Ebsen. He followed that with several more Disney films, including "Davy Crockett and the River Boat Pirates," "The Great Locomotive Chase" and "Smoky."

His TV career took off in 1964 with the title role in NBC's "Daniel Boone," which aired for for six seasons.

When the series ended in 1970, Parker became a real estate developer in Santa Barbara.

"After successfully opening three high-end mobile home parks, the 360-room Fess Parker Doubletree Resort opened in 1985," the family statement said. "It is one of the most successful hotels on the Santa Barbara waterfront."

Parker and his family also opened Fess Parker Winery on the Foxen in Los Olivos, California.

The Box Tops Lead Singer Alex Chilton Has Died

Pop hitmaker, cult hero, and Memphis rock iconoclast Alex Chilton has died.

The singer and guitarist, best known as a member of '60s pop-soul act the Box Tops and the '70s power-pop act Big Star, died today (March  at a hospital in New Orleans. Chilton, 59, had been complaining of about his health earlier today. He was taken by paramedics to the emergency room where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death is believed to be a heart attack.

His Big Star bandmate Jody Stephens confirmed the news this evening. "Alex passed away a couple of hours ago," Stephens said from Austin, Texas, where the band was to play Saturday at the annual South By Southwest Festival. "I don’t have a lot of particulars, but they kind of suspect that it was a heart attack."

The Memphis-born Chilton rose to prominence at age 16, when his gruff vocals powered Box Tops massive hit “The Letter.” The band would score several more hits, including “Cry Like a Baby” and “Neon Rainbow.”

After the Box Tops ended in 1970, Chilton had a brief solo run in New York before returning to Memphis. He soon joined forces with a group of Anglo-pop-obsessed musicians, fellow songwriter/guitarist Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens, to form Big Star.

The group became the flagship act for the local Ardent Studios' new Stax-distributed label. Big Star’s 1972 debut album, #1 Record met with critical acclaim but poor sales. The group briefly disbanded, but reunited sans Bell to record the album Radio City. Released in 1974, the album suffered a similar fate, plagued by Stax’s distribution woes.

"I’m crushed. We’re all just crushed," said Ardent founder John Fry, who engineered most of the Big Star sessions. "This sudden death experience is never something that you’re prepared for. And yet it occurs."

The group made one more album, Third/Sister Lovers, with just Chilton and Stephens — and it too was a minor masterpiece. Darker and more complex than the band’s previous pop-oriented material, it remained unreleased for several years. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine would name all three Big Star albums to its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

In the mid-'70s Chilton began what would be a polarizing solo career, releasing several albums of material, like 1979’s Like Flies on Sherbet — a strange, chaotically recorded album of originals and obscure covers that divided fans and critics. Chilton also began performing with local roots-punk deconstructionists the Panther Burns.

In the early '80s, Chilton left Memphis for New Orleans, where he worked a variety of jobs and stopped performing for several years. But interest in his music from a new generation of alternative bands, including R.E.M. and the Replacements, brought him back to the stage in the mid-'80s.

He continued to record and tour as a solo act throughout the decade.
Finally, in the early '90s, the underground cult based around Big Star had become so huge that the group was enticed to reunite with a reconfigured lineup.

"It’s obvious to anybody that listens to his live performances or his body of recorded work, his tremendous talent as a vocalist and songwriter and instrumentalist," Fry said.

"Beyond the musical talent, he was an interesting, articulate and extremely intelligent person," Fry added. "I don't think you’d ever have a conversation with him of any length that you didn’t learn something completely new."

The band, featuring original member Stephens plus Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow of the Posies, continued to perform regularly over the next 16 years. Big Star became the subject of various articles, books and CD reissue campaigns, including the release of widely hailed box set, Keep an Eye on the Sky, released last year by Rhino Records.

"When some people pass, you say it was the end of an era. In this case, it’s really true," said Memphis singer-songwriter Van Duren, a Chilton contemporary in the Memphis rock scene of the '70s.

The band was scheduled to launch the spring 2010 season at the Levitt Shell at Overton Park with a benefit concert on May 15.

Big Star had not played in Memphis since a 2003 Beale Street Music Festival appearance.

Chilton is survived by his wife, Laura, and a son Timothy.

British Singer Lesley Duncan Has Died At Age 66

Lesley Duncan
August 12, 1943 – March 12, 2010

Lesley Duncan was a moderately successful English folk singer during the late ’60s and ’70s.  After working on her own during the early part of her career, Duncan hooked up with Elton John in 1970 to sing a duet of her “Love Song” which appeared on his Tumbleweed Connection album.  It remains one of just a handful of songs John recorded that was penned by someone outside of his and Bernie Taupin’s creative circle.  Duncan went on to provide backing vocals on such albums as John’s Madman Across The Water, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and the Alan Parsons Project’s Eve.  During the ’70s, she lent her vocal talents to recordings by Dusty Springfield, among many others.  Lesley Duncan was 66 when she died on March 12, 2010 of causes believed to be related to cerebrovascular disease.

Here is the song she originally sang as a duet with Elton John, Love Song.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies
March 14th, 2010 to march 20th, 2010

Well it was sure good to be back together again this week and I am so pleased that the technical problems at the network's radio studio have been fixed. It was great to have so many Nuts in the Hut this week; the Chat Room was buzzing. I'd like to thank our Webmaster, Eddy Fisher for the use of four of his amazing photos on the Treasure Island Oldies Blog that he took at the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. If you have not had a chance, be sure to scroll down to the posting below. These photos actually DO justice to the size of the venue; there were over sixty thousand people in attendance. I'd also like to thank those of you who have commented on the photos; it was great hearing from you. I've passed on your comments to Eddy and he said thanks very much.

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to my good friend and very long time listener Rick Canode in Madison, Wisconsin. Rick surprises us all every week with Rick's Rare Rock And Roll Relic, a very cool feature on the show every week in the third hour. Have a great birthday, Rick. If you have a birthday coming up, let me know by sending your name, city and birthday date to michael@treasureislandoldies.com We'll play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

Be sure to join me next week for the return of the Name Game Special. To give you and idea of a song that you'll hear, the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly & The Crickets. It's our Song of the Week. Oh by the way, watch the opening introduction carefully and watch for the hostess's comments regarding Rock And Roll Music and teenagers!

Voice Your Choice spotlights The Miracles with two of their hit songs: Mickey's Monkey and I'll Try Something New. See as next week is the Name Game Special, it would be ironic if Mickey's Monkey was the winner. Time will tell. Cast your vote for the song you'd like to hear. Click here for the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. We'll play the winning song in Hour 3 of next week's show.

Running short on time? You can check out both the Rock & Roll News and the Top 5 Countdown and both are available here at the website. Click Podcast for the Rock & Roll News and click Listen for the Top 5 Countdown. You can Subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes.Go to the iTunes Store and search Treasure Island Oldies Podcast. You'll be part of the over eleven thousand downloads every month.

Send in your photo for the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Many folks have, but there's still room for yours. Send your picture, name and city to michael@treasureislandoldies.com. I look forward to receiving  it from you.

Is your high school, college or university Alma Mater planning a Reunion? Let me know and I'll be pleased to let the listeners know about it. Today with people scattered all around the globe, it is sometimes difficult to reach them. I'll do my best to help publicize and promote your Reunion. Send the details to michael@treasureislandoldies.com.

Have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

The Miracles - Voice Your Choice

The Miracles formed in Detroit, Michigan and consisted of Smokey Robinson, Claudette Rogers (who was married to Smokey from 1958 to 1986 and retired from the group in 1964), Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, and Warren Moore. Sadly, Ronnie died of leukemia on August 26, 1995 at the young age of 56.

Smokey wrote many of the group's hit songs and also for other Motown Artists. In fact, he became Vice-President of Artist & Repertoire for Berry Gordy's Motown Records.

Between 1959 and 1975, they appeared on the Billboard Top 100 charts a total of 46 times, and garnered 7 Top Ten hits. This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features The Miracles with two of their great hit songs for your votes: Mickey's Monkey and I'll Try Something New.

Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page. We'll play the winner in the third hour of next week's show.

Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly: Name Game Special Song of the Week on Treasure Island Oldies

I've got a great example for you of one of the songs you'll hear on the Treasure Island Oldies Name Game Special on Sunday, March 21st. Every song will have a person's name in the song title throughout the show, except of course for the Top Five Countdown. I do this popular themed special every couple of years, and there is always great demand and many suggestions for "Name" songs.

So here is a Name Game Special song, Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly and the Crickets. It's our Song of the Week. Pay close attention to the introduction of the guys on the Arthur Murray Dance Party TV show from 1957. The show was rather staid, to say the least.

Enjoy!
Michael

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games Opening Ceremonies - I Was There!

I was thrilled to attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010  Paralympic Winter Games last night here in Vancouver. What a spectacle this was and over 60,000 people ooo'd and ahhh'd and enthusiastically welcomed all the athletes from around the world the the first  Paralympic Winter Games.

Our very talented Webmaster, Eddy Fisher, took these shots during the event. Thanks for letting me use these pictures, Eddy.

The Maple Leaf Forever

By the way, the studio monitor system has been repaired and we are a go for the show tomorrow, Sunday, March 14. See you at Treasure Island Oldies tomorrow night. And if you  haven't yet voted for Voice Your Choice, scroll down the page and cast you vote.

Bye for now.
Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

This week on Treasure Island Oldies

March 7th, 2010 to March 13th, 2010

Well not much happened on the Island this week. In fact, nothing happened at all. We were unable to bring you the show this week due to technical difficulties with our network's radio studio facilities. I dearly hope that they are fixed in time for next week's show. I'll keep you posted via the Treasure Island Oldies Blog. Please be sure to stop by for an update later in the week.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Roy Geldart in Campbell River, British Columbia. If you have a birthday coming up, let me know by sending your name, city and birthday date to michael@treasureislandoldies.com We'll play Birthday by The Beatles, our official birthday song, for Roy on next week's show.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog features two video clips this week in recognition of the passing of Lolly Vegas, the lead singer and guitarist for Redbone, with Witch Queen Of New Orleans. The other song is Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get by The Dramatics, in recognition of Ron Banks, the founding member of The Dramatics, who also passed away.

As we were unable to bring you this week's show, we will continue with Herman's Hermits on Voice Your Choice for another week. This Door Swings Both Ways and Don't Go Out Into The Rain (You're Going To Melt) are the two hits for your votes. Which song would you like to hear? Cast your vote - click the Voice Your Choice button on any page of the website and make your selection. The winning song will be played in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

I know you don't always have a huge amount of time to listen to the entire four hour show. You can now listen to the Top 5 Countdown, and enjoy a popular weekly feature of the show showcasing the five biggest songs from this week in Rock and Roll History. Click Listen on the Menu and scroll down to Top 5 Countdown and click on the button.

Remember to send in your photo for the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Many folks have, but there's still room for yours. Send your picture, name and city to michael@treasureislandoldies.com. I look forward to receiving  it from you.

Is your high school, college or university Alma Mater planning a Reunion? Let me know and I'll be pleased to let the listeners know about it. Today with people scattered all around the globe, it is sometimes difficult to reach them. I'll do my best to help publicize and promote your Reunion. Send the details to michael@treasureislandoldies.com.

Have a good week. Fingers crossed for the show next week.

Bye for now.

Michael

NO LIVE SHOW THIS WEEK

I am sorry to let you know that due to circumstances beyond our control, there will be no show this week. I hope that the technical problems at our network studio facilities are repaired in time for the show next week. I'll keep you updated as soon as I know.

Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.
Michael

Redbone Lead Singer Lolly Vegas Died At Age 70

Lolly Vegas, lead singer and guitarist with Redbone, died of lung cancer Thursday, March 4, 2010 at his home in Reseda, California. He was 70. Lolly, whose real name was Lolly Vasquez, was diagnosed with lung cancer after being hospitalized with a stomach aneurysm in January. He had suffered a stroke in 1996 that forced him to leave the band. Lolly and his brother, Pat formed Redbone with brothers Anthony "T-Bone" Bellamy and Peter DePoe in Los Angeles in 1969. The name came from a Cajun term for a mixed-race person. Their first, self-tiled, album came in 1970 but it was their second, that yielded the #45 single, "Maggie," early the next year. It was followed by two more chart hits-- "The Witch Queen Of New Orleans" (#21-1972) and "Come And Get Your Love" (#5-1974). The group was inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2008. T-Bone died of liver failure just last Christmas at the age of 63.

The Dramatics Lead Singer Ron Banks Has Died

Ron Banks, founding member of the Dramatics of "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" (#9-1971) and "In The Rain" (#5-1972) fame, died unexpected Thursday afternoon (March 4) at his home in Detroit. He was 58. No cause of death has been determined but it is believed Ron died of a heart attack. The Redford, Michigan native formed the group in 1962 with the late Elbert Wilkins and William (Wee Gee) Howard, along with band Willie Ford as the Dynamics. The 1967 name change was followed by their first chart single, "All Because Of You," which reached #43 on the R&B charts for Sport Records. It wasn't until the group was picked up by Volt (companion label to Memphis' Stax Records) that they broke through with "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get." All told, the Dramatics charted 35 times on the R&B charts and a dozen times on the pop charts, including the tunes "Me And Mrs. Jones" (#47-1975) and "The Stars In Your Eyes" (#81-1975), which were credited to Ron Banks and the Dramatics. Ron sang with the group as recently as last Fall. The group will perform Saturday at the Westbury Music Festival in New York but the space in front on Ron's microphone will be empty.

Herman's Hermits - Voice Your Choice

Herman's Hermits became of of the most successful of the British Invasion groups of the early-to-mid-1960s. While practically everyone knows Peter Noone, the lead singer and head of the band, not that many know who the rest of the members were. Time to rectify that situation. They were Derek Leckenby and Keith Hopwood on guitars, Karl Green on bass, and Barry Whitwam on drums. The name Herman's Hermits was derived from the cartoon character Sherman on the TV show The Bullwinkle Show.

Before Peter Noone left the group in 1972 for a solo career, Herman's Hermits racked up an impressive 19 charted hits, with 11 in the Top Ten plus 3 Gold Records.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Herman's Hermits with two of their hits: This Door Swings Both Ways and Don't Go Out Into The Rain (You're Going To Melt).

Which song would you like me to play? Cast your vote by going to the Voice Your Choice page and making your selection. We'll play the winning song in Hour 3 of next week's show.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

This week on Treasure Island Oldies

February 28th, 2010 to March 6th, 2010

Canada  conquered the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games! I am proud to say that Canada earned 14 Gold Medals, the most ever won by any country in the history of the Olympic Winter Games. What is also staggering was the fact that nearly 80 per cent of the entire population of Canada watched part or all of the historic Team Canada and Team USA Gold Medal Hockey Game! It was the largest TV audience in the history of Canadian television broadcasting. And when Sidney Crosby won it in overtime for Team Canada and the entire country, the people took to the streets from coast to coast to celebrate and party like never before. I would like to thank all the athletes from nearly 100 countries who gave their all; the organizing committee who thought through every detail, then executed them to perfection, the city of Vancouver and Whistler for being such gracious hosts, and the people, both residents and visitors, who made our city sparkle and shine with pride. Thank you!

No, I was not a member of the Canadian Bobsled Team. It was a treat to get a picture with such a cool looking vehicle. Can't imagine going down the track at such fast speeds though. Definitely a Depends moment! LOL

It was so much fun to start off the show with some songs that felt fitting for the end of the Olympic celebrations and the results of the Games. I Just Want To Celebrate, We Are The Champions, Celebrate, A Hard Day's Night, Wasn't That A Party, Dancing In The Streets, and others were the perfect songs to play. And it is always great to play songs that you request. It was good to hear from Mike in Jacksonville, Florida who called the 24/7 Listener Line at 206-203-4678 and requested Elusive Butterfly by Bob Lind. And also nice to hear from Vance in Everett, Washington, who requested a rare hard-to-find song, I Found Love by Free Design. JJ from the Chat Room who lives in Pickering, Ontario, asked to hear Yellow Balloon by Yellow Balloon, and Joel Drucker from Randolph, New Jersey emailed a request for an ultra rare tune by Red Buttons, Ho Ho Song (Strange Things Are Happening). Glad to play it for you. I'm always happy to receive your requests, and do my best to play as many as possible on the show. Email your requests. Click the Requests button on any page of the website.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to two great recording stars: Paul Evans and Eddie Hodges, both having their special day this week, and both good friends of Treasure Island Oldies. If you have a birthday coming up, let me know by sending your name, city and birthday date to michael@treasureislandoldies.com We'll play Birthday by The Beatles, our official birthday song for you.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog celebrates the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games with Rare Earth and I Just Want To Celebrate, our Song of the Week. Enjoy! By the way, when you come to the Blog, you'll see me holding the Olympic Torch, what a thrill it was. And by the way, thanks for the comment on the Blog for last week's Song of the Week.

Voice Your Choice spotlights Herman's Hermits with two of their many hits: This Door Swings Both Ways and Don't Go Out Into The Rain (You're Going To Melt). Which song would you like to hear? Cast your vote - click the Voice Your Choice button on any page of the website and make your selection. The winning song will be played in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

I know you don't always have a huge amount of time to listen to the entire four hour show. You can now listen to the Top 5 Countdown, and enjoy a popular weekly feature of the show showcasing the five biggest songs from this week in Rock and Roll History. Click Listen on the Menu and scroll down to Top 5 Countdown and click on the button.

Remember to send in your photo for the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Many folks have, but there's still room for yours. Send your picture, name and city to michael@treasureislandoldies.com. I look forward to receiving  it from you.

Is your high school, college or university Alma Mater planning a Reunion? Let me know and I'll be pleased to let the listeners know about it. Today with people scattered all around the globe, it is sometimes difficult to reach them. I'll do my best to help publicize and promote your Reunion. Send the details to michael@treasureislandoldies.com.

Have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

I Just Want To Celebrate - Song of the Week

I had the opportunity to hold the famed Olympic Torch and was thrilled to have my picture taken, thanks to my nephew Tony, who flew into Vancouver for the Olympic celebrations.

Congratulations to all the athletes, but in particular, Team Canada, for the amazing results. Canada won the most Gold medals of any country in the history of the Olympic Winter Games. That's 14 Gold medals!

Let's celebrate with Rare Earth - I Just Want To Celebrate, our Song of the Week.
Enjoy!

Michael